That year seemed to be the breakthrough one for Christmas albums by artists popular with teenagers.

Just a few acts that come to mind, the tunes of which we still hear every year about this time, are the Beach Boys, 4 Seasons, Jackie Wilson, Paul & Paula, and Phil Spector's incomparable “Christmas Gift to You” collection.

Before '63, I cannot recall any Christmas LPs by Teen Top 40 stars other than Elvis. Are there some that have slipped my mind? Ellen Mitlo, Lancaster, Pa.

DEAR ELLEN: Your point is well-taken; however, there are others intended for the teen and R&R market, issued between 1957  “Elvis' Christmas Album” (RCA Victor LOC-1035)  and that bountiful year of 1963:

For the record, the Beach Boys' hit single, “Little Saint Nick” (Capitol 5096), filled the air waves in December 1963, but their brilliant “Beach Boys' Christmas Album” (Capitol 2164) didn't come out until the fall of '64.

Also, “The 4 Seasons Greetings” (Vee Jay 1055) first came along in 1962, but attracted considerably more attention the following year.

You are right about “Merry Christmas from Jackie Wilson” (Brunswick 54112); “Paul & Paula's Holiday for Teens” (Philips 200101) and “A Christmas Gift to You (from Philles Records)” (Philles 4005). All are 1963 releases.

DEAR JERRY: When my brother and I were growing up in the 1960s, Little Jimmy Boyd had a record out titled “I Saw Mommy Do the Mambo (With You Know Who),” all around the Christmas tree.

Everyone knows his Christmas classic, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” but when I sing this other one no one ever recognizes it. Still, they do think it's cute.

Do you have some details that will support my memory of this tune?

Is there a compact disc collection of songs by Jimmy Boyd? Kathy Carlson, Wheeling, Ill.

DEAR KATHY: Your memory of the song seems very good, and I have not even heard you sing it.

There does, however, appear to be a discrepancy regarding dates.

“I Saw Mommy Do the Mambo (With You Know Who)” (Columbia 40365) came out in November 1954, which indicates your family simply had a copy in the '60s that had been lying around since the mid-'50s.

As for a CD, Collectables issued the 26-track collection, “The Best of Jimmy Boyd” (090431763421), and though “I Saw Mommy Do the Mambo (With You Know Who)” is inexplicably missing, it does include “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and his great duet with Frankie Laine, “Tell Me a Story.”

DEAR JERRY: I doubt it's the title, but I recall a song in which the line “any kiss today” is frequently sung.

As another clue, they pronounce the word “kiss” as it might have been said by the Cisco Kid's sidekick, Pancho  more like “ke-e-e-e-e-s,” exaggerating the “e” sound.

Can you identify this recording? Rita Bailey, Paducah, Ky.

DEAR RITA: Certainly, though you have been phonetically fooled by that memorable line. There's no smooching going on here.